fbpx
Connect with us

News

Former NSDC Executive Secretary Faces Legal Challenge for Violating Rules and Regulations”

Published

on

 

ABUJA, Nigeria – Former NSDC Executive Secretary Faces Legal Challenge for Violating Rules and Regulations” a developing legal matter, Legal Option Solicitors, representing Mr. Audu Karimu, a concerned Nigerian citizen, has issued a stern reminder to the Head of Service of the Federation regarding an alleged violation of Public Service Rules (PSR) and the Sugar Regulation Council (Amendment) Act, 2015. The focus of this reminder is the conduct of Mr. Zaccheus Adedeji, the former Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), and Mr. Auwal Abubakar Shira.

Background and Introduction: 1.1 The solicitors maintain their representation of Mr. Audu Karimu, a Nigerian patriot, and client. They draw attention to their client’s previous petition regarding the actions of Mr. Zaccheus Adedeji, the former Executive Secretary of the NSDC, and Mr. Auwal Abubakar Shira, who, despite reaching his retirement date on 11th September 2021, continues to serve in the capacity of Director Finance and Administration in the Council.

1.2 The NSDC, established through Decree No. 88, later NSDC (Amendment) Act, 2015, is subject to the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the administration of its personnel. Under these rules, staff members are to retire upon reaching thirty-five (35) years in service or sixty (60) years of age, whichever comes earlier. The Executive Secretary of the Council does not possess the authority to lawfully extend the service years of any staff unless specifically authorized by the NSDC Act and the PSR, a condition not met in this instance.

Facts of the Petition: 2.1 Mr. Zaccheus Adedeji assumed the role of Executive Secretary of the NSDC on or around 10th March 2021. However, on 15th June 2023, he was appointed Senior Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, necessitating his resignation from the NSDC position due to the prohibition of holding two public offices concurrently. Subsequently, on 15th September 2023, he was appointed Acting Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

2.2 On the other hand, Mr. Auwal Abubakar Shira, who held the position of Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) at the NSDC in 2021, was due to retire on 11th September 2021. However, the former Executive Secretary extended his service years without lawful authority, granting a one-year extension from 11th September 2021 to 10th September 2022. Upon this extension’s expiration, the former Executive Secretary further extended the retirement date to 10th September 2023.

2.3 Despite these extensions, the DFA has remained in office without further extension since the second extension unlawfully granted to him expired on 11th September 2023. Furthermore, the former Executive Secretary, who was supposed to vacate his position on 15th June 2023 when appointed as SA to the President, is allegedly involved in planning the further unlawful extension of the DFA’s service years or his appointment as the new Executive Secretary.

2.4 The petition alleges that both the former Executive Secretary and the DFA are scheming to further extend the DFA’s tenure in blatant violation of the NSDC Act and the PSR, which dictate the tenure of the Council’s staff. Additionally, they are doing so without obtaining relevant approvals from the appropriate authorities. This conduct not only contravenes established rules and regulations but also hinders the career growth and development of other qualified Council staff.

2.5 In addition to the alleged illegal extension of the Director’s tenure, both individuals are accused of failing to comply with basic Public Service Rules regulating the re-engagement of retired public servants through contract, particularly on grade levels below that on which they retired. If the Council deemed it necessary to re-engage the retired DFA on contract, it should have been in compliance with these rules, engaging him as a Deputy Director, not in the manner employed, extending his service for twenty-four (24) months by the former Executive Secretary.

Prayers and Request for Intervention: 3.1 Mr. Audu Karimu, through his solicitors, seeks the following interventions: a. The immediate vacation of the position of Director of Finance and Administration by Mr. Auwal Abubakar Shira.

Attachments:

The solicitors refer to their client’s earlier petition for additional context and detail.

This legal challenge underscores the importance of adhering to established rules and regulations within the public service, ensuring fairness and equity in personnel decisions.

 

 

 

 

News

I Fulfill My Campaign Promises in Six Months,” Says Walin Kazaure

Published

on

The Senator representing Jigawa North-West from Jigawa State, Babangida Hussaini, stated that he has successfully fulfilled most of the significant projects within his first six months in office.

Babangida Hussaini, the Wali of Kazaure, conveyed this during an interview with Radio Nigeria Pyramid reporter Kabiru Muhammad Getso in his office in Abuja.

Hussaini highlighted the projects prioritized in his constituency, including healthcare delivery, education, provision of portable drinking water, and creating employment opportunities for numerous youths.

He attributed the success to the pre-existing blueprint for developing the constituents even before securing the Senatorial seat.

Babangida Hussaini also acknowledged the State Government’s efforts to enhance the standard of living by providing essential social amenities.

“This is something they have been working on since our inception early this year, but there are lingering issues in the economy, such as a drop in internally generated revenue and overpopulation, necessitating Federal Government intervention,” he remarked

In the healthcare sector, everybody recognizes the contribution of women in the election processes, and they are the most vulnerable in our community. That is why plans are underway to upgrade healthcare centers to reduce maternal mortality in our area.”

Senator Hussaini reaffirmed his commitment to supporting health college students with registration fees to alleviate their challenges.

We greatly need young men and women from such health institutions to staff our primary healthcare centers and other hospitals.”

Honorable Babangida pledged to leave no stone unturned and collaborate with other stakeholders to achieve the essence of democracy.

Continue Reading

News

Inclusive Action for Adolescent Girls’ Education in Kano State: Baseline Survey Findings Revealed

Published

on

Participants

KANO, Nigeria – In a significant step toward fostering inclusive education for adolescent girls, a gathering was convened in Kano state to disseminate the findings of a baseline survey conducted in Nassarawa and Kano Municipal Local Government Areas (LGAs). Salisu Galadima, a key figure in the initiative, addressed the assembly, shedding light on critical issues affecting girls’ education in the region.

Galadima, while addressing the gathering, emphasized that a staggering 90 percent of school dropouts among adolescent girls in Kano state can be attributed to factors rooted in poverty. He pointed out that economic challenges force many families to withdraw their daughters from school, hindering their educational progress.

Another significant factor contributing to school dropouts, as highlighted in the survey, is the failure of adolescent girls to pass qualifying exams. The pressure and implications of these exams, often shaped by cultural and social norms, create barriers that disproportionately affect girls’ educational journeys.

Iliyasu Muazu Sharada, a village head of Sharada , proposed a unique solution to address the issue. He suggested the cancellation of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) qualifying exam, contending that such a move would minimize school dropouts. His proposal sparked discussions on the broader implications of exam-centric educational systems and their impact on vulnerable populations.

Amidst the discussions, a prevailing sentiment emerged – the potential negative consequences of monetizing every aspect of education. Participants in the gathering voiced concerns that excessive financial demands within the educational system could exacerbate disparities and lead to increased dropout rates among adolescent girls.

The initiative’s commitment to inclusivity was evident in the diverse group of women drawn from the selected LGAs. The gathering served as a platform for these women to express their perspectives and experiences, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on improving educational outcomes for adolescent girls in Kano state.

As the dissemination of baseline survey findings marks a crucial step forward, the call for inclusive actions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by adolescent girls in pursuit of education gains momentum. The collaborative efforts of stakeholders and community members aim to create a more equitable educational landscape, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to thrive in the pursuit of knowledge.

Continue Reading

News

NNPP seeks EU, U.S, A.U interventions in Kano guber election verdict

Published

on

 

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has sought the interventions of the United States, European Union and African Union over what they described as manipulations of electoral verdict to overturn the victory of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

At the protests staged on Wednesday in the embassies of U.S, E.U and AU in Abuja, the acting National Chairman of the NNPP, Abba Kawu Ali, said the lower court have compromised in their judgment with the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Appeal Court verdict indicating that Governor Yusuf validly won the March 18 election.

He added that the NNPP protest in the embassies was to bring the issue to the notice of all well-meaning nations and well-meaning democratic organizations.

Ali said: “If at the point of delivering the judgment, there was a pronouncement that our Appeal failed but the CTC of the same judgment in its conclusive findings actually resolved all the issues in our favour, and even awarded costs in our favour against the APC, this definitely is a riddle.”

Speaking further,  the acting Chairman of the NNPP told the EU that, “We need you to bring your diplomacy, your soft power to play over the Nigerian government, the Nigerian presidency, so that the judiciary is left to do its work.

Further, Ali said, “We don’t need any favors. We want justice. We want justice for the people of Kano. And we say this because Kano is one of the most volatile states in this country”.

Ali, who warned of dangers of electoral injustice, noted that, “It happened in 2019. And it’s happening again. It’s some form of deja vu. We have done our best to tell the people of Kano to remain calm”.

Continue Reading

Trending

%d bloggers like this: